The Cornflower Witch

Book 2: Chapter 103: Candle Gate

Vol 2 Chapter 103: Candle Gate

Darkmist Mountains, Ironwall Precipice

After obtaining the Revealing Powder that could detect the hidden 'Gray Sludge', the garrison began to operate in a tense yet orderly manner.

First, under the Commander's arrangements, the sick and unwell personnel were separated into 20 different zones, with no movement or interaction between them allowed.

Daily meals and food would be delivered to each zone via hoisting baskets. The personnel preparing the food were all members not infected by the 'Gray Sludge'. Furthermore, both the kitchen and the central medical room were strictly sprinkled with 'Revealing Powder' to search for and clean up any 'Gray Sludge', completely preventing further spread of infection.

After first stabilizing the situation and preventing repeated infections, the Transcendents of the 'Blazing Sun' Aspect within the garrison began disinfecting and cleaning various areas and spaces throughout Ironwall Precipice.

After cleaning each room or corridor, they would temporarily seal off that area. If, after three days, sprinkling 'Revealing Powder' still showed no trace of 'Gray Sludge', it meant the area was truly clean.

And so, because they had powder that could detect the 'Gray Sludge', the entire garrison began to stabilize the situation bit by bit, gradually containing and cleaning up the infestation.

The team led by Sylutia stayed in the camp for two days, resting well. After her members' condition recovered, she led them back to the Ironwall Precipice garrison to participate in auxiliary work.

Considering that Sylutia and the others were all Second Tier, the Commander assigned them to logistics, having Sylutia assist with scheduling and coordination.Another four days passed, and a new batch of provisions was transported from Lantern Town, arriving at Ironwall Precipice to replenish the consumption there.

A week later, support from the Hidden Grove headquarters finally arrived. This was a team composed of physicians and Purifiers, with most members hailing from the 'Sacred Lantern Association', the 'White Scroll Herb Jar', and the 'Ashen Rose'.

"I understand sending the 'Sacred Lantern Association', which is skilled in light-based identification, and the 'White Scroll Herb Jar' with its many physicians, but what's the deal with the 'Ashen Rose'?" The Commander looked at the documents and letters given to him, his voice displeased.

"The meaning of the 'Ashen Rose' is that if we lose control, the entire garrison will be cleaned up by them," the Scholar advisor beside him pushed up his glasses, answering as if it were already understood.

"Those 'Ashen Rose' members in gray robes, stationed on the cliffside mountain path, are the last line of defense. If we cannot eradicate the infestation and stop its spread, they will perform the 'Dead Embers Annihilation' ritual, razing the entire garrison to the ground."

"The association is truly well-prepared. They've probably even written the announcement for handling our aftermath in advance," another knight shook his head and complained.

"Pretty much. The official announcement would be that the Darkmist Mountains outpost encountered an unknown attack and was completely destroyed. Then they'd seal this place and find another location to establish an observation post."

"Even though I understand, this feeling is still uncomfortable."

"Alright, enough talk. The representative from the 'White Scroll Herb Jar' is about to arrive." The Commander knocked on the table, quieting the meeting hall for the moment.

Several minutes later, led by a silver-haired girl, a group of physicians dressed in white robes and wearing white bird masks arrived.

These members were all shrouded in white robes, their faces covered by white bird masks. Inside the bird beaks were rolled-up purification and filtration herbs to prevent 'Gray Sludge' from seeping into their bodies.

"...This is the meeting hall," Sylutia introduced to these newly arrived physicians.

Because she could see the subtle, hidden 'Gray Sludge' and was not afraid of its harm, and also because she was one of the earliest participants in and creators of the 'Revealing Powder', possessing exceptional understanding of this strange 'Gray Sludge' lifeform, she was the one who briefed the newly arrived physician support team on the situation, acting on behalf of the personnel within Ironwall Precipice.

After this group of members from the 'White Scroll Herb Jar' arrived at the hall and stood still, the one at the forefront slightly bowed, paying respects to the Commander seated at the head.

"I am Zeralin Cuifeng, currently the Epidemic Patrol Envoy of the 'White Scroll Herb Jar'. I am leading the team to support Ironwall Precipice this time."

This white physician was Fifth Tier, with the Aspect of 'Luminous Moon·Verdant Nectar'. He was erudite and experienced. When he announced his name, the Commander seated at the head also hurriedly stood up.

"So it's you. Please, have a seat."

The name Zeralin Cuifeng was known and circulated among many in the Hidden Grove. His medical and healing experience was extensive. He had participated in the campaign to subdue the Cave Evil Dragon forty years ago, treating warriors eroded by the dragon's poisonous evil flames and expelling toxins. He was skilled in resolving various types of toxin infiltration and curse corrosion.

This white physician nodded slightly and sat down in the seat facing the assembly, while the group of white bird physicians behind him continued to stand at his side.

During the subsequent meeting, the physician team he led inquired in greater detail about the spread of the 'Gray Sludge' within Ironwall Precipice, as well as the origin of the initial 'Gray Sludge' and the time of its first discovery.

"...Judging from this, this should be a new monster mutated from the depths of the Twilight Sea," he analyzed after gradually understanding the situation.

"Because 'Distortion' has already polluted the Twilight Sea, the creatures living and growing there are constantly mutating and distorting. New things we have never known or seen before are always being born."

"Presumably, this time it is also a new species that escaped from among them."

"Now that the situation is understood, please rest assured, everyone. Afterwards, I and the members will work together to develop a specific treatment potion as soon as possible."

"In addition, the 'Sacred Lantern Association' that came with us will also bring more detection methods and ways to isolate the contagion, ensuring the entire process proceeds effectively and stably."

...

On the other side of Ironwall Precipice.

Accompanied and led by Dorothy, members wearing face masks and holding candle lanterns moved through various parts of the fortress.

They placed specially made candles at various passageways and doorways, pasting up slips of paper covered in writing.

'We beseech the Ever-Luminous Spirit, the Ever-Burning Unquenchable God. May Your eyes gaze upon this place, so that any treacherous evil may not set foot beyond this gate.'

Candles were placed one after another on door thresholds. They emitted a faint halo of light, illuminating the slips of paper on the surrounding walls and door frames. Then, a hazy, haloed eye opened in the air above the threshold, gazing both inward and outward.

[Candle Gate]; A Gate lit through this ritual. Any invisible beings, ghosts, evil shadows, or microscopic creatures cannot pass through. Only by reciting the words on the door frame can they safely cross.

The 'Gray Sludge' did not understand human speech and had no intelligence, so naturally, they could not pass through this gate. And if they tried to cross by clinging to a person's clothing, they would be burned and illuminated by the bright flames, revealing their form.

With the assistance of the 'Sacred Lantern Association' members, the entire Ironwall Precipice began to be sealed off and partitioned. Even if someone carried a 'Gray Sludge' infection within their body, they now had the means to identify it.

Within the snowstorm-covered fortress, bright lanterns and candles were lit one after another, burning day and night without rest. Every tiny, dark corner was illuminated. Flowing golden flames surged from the candles, flooding rooms and corners like water, beginning to cleanse the environment here.